Experts from Poznań have developed the world’s first intelligent stethoscope to control the respiratory system. It fits in the palm of your hand and it sometimes assesses your health better than doctors. In the future, StethoMe should be present in every home, just like a thermometer – emphasizes the president of Warsaw Family Physicians, Dr. Michał Sutkowski.
The intelligent stethoscope (named StethoMe) is intended for home use by patients. – It is ready, but its entry into the market in Poland and abroad is expected in 2020 – says Wojciech Radomski from the StethoMe start-up, which developed the device. At the moment, StethoMe is being tested in 20 centers in 10 countries around the world (including Great Britain, Sweden, Greece, Mexico, Italy, Portugal, Germany).
The specialists who worked on the creation of StethoMe emphasize that there is no other such device on the market. As they point out, there are two more similar stethoscopes around the world, mainly in the United States. However, their operation is only based on transmitting the recorded sounds to the doctors who evaluate them. The Polish device is equipped with artificial intelligence and makes the initial assessment itself, although the doctor ultimately decides about the diagnosis.
StethoMe is small and fits in the palm of your hand. Similarly to the traditional stethoscope, it is used to assess the functioning of the respiratory system of children and adults, but it differs from it in that it records, identifies and classifies recorded sounds. The device is connected to a smartphone application that tells you where to place the device on the chest during the examination. It also tells you if everything is going well. Disturbing symptoms, such as cough or runny nose, are also entered into the application.
Upon completion of the examination, the parent / patient is assessed whether there are any abnormalities, and if so, StethoMe suggests consulting a doctor. In turn, the doctor receives a record of the examination both in the form of sound and its graphic image, which is to facilitate the final diagnosis. The camera also shows where the wheezes and rattles occur.
The creators of the smart stethoscope assure that it is able to recognize over 12 thousand. sounds and is still learning. – Previous trials show that his lung condition assessments are eight percentage points more accurate than doctors – said Wojciech Radomski. However, it is the physician who ultimately decides about the diagnosis.
The president of Warsaw Family Physicians, Dr. Michał Sutkowski, emphasizes that an intelligent stethoscope can contribute to the development of telemedicine, facilitating the work of primary care physicians. – A preliminary assessment of the functioning of the respiratory system of a young child may reassure his parents that nothing serious is happening, and significantly reduce the number of unnecessary visits to the doctor, and there are many of them – he added. In his opinion, up to 80 percent. visits to the doctor are not necessary as many patients present with minor ailments.
According to Dr. Sutkowski, an intelligent stethoscope, as a device for the initial diagnosis of the condition of the lungs, should in the future be placed under the thatch and be present in every home, just like a thermometer. – From the point of view of primary health care, it would make the most sense – he stressed.
Wojciech Radomski announces that the new generation stethoscope will be offered by private health care centers as part of medical subscriptions. – It is also a benefit for such a facility, due to how many medical visits are unnecessary – he argued.
Works on it are financed, among others, by from the resources of the National Center for Research and Development and the European Regional Development Fund.